John McClain's scouting report: Texans vs. Patriots

The matchup between Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore will be among the top individual battles during Sunday's game.

Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – A closer look at the matchups in Sunday's Texans-Patriots season opener at Gillette Stadium.

When the Patriots run

They were 10th in rushing last season (118.1 yards). They lost two tackles in free agency and traded with San Francisco for left tackle Trent Brown. Marcus Cannon is back at right tackle and will have to contain J.J. Watt. Their interior line is terrific and will make it tough on nose tackle D.J. Reader. The Patriots added two new backs in veteran Jeremy Hill and rookie Sony Michel, who was injured and didn't get a carry during the preseason. They play behind James White and Rex Burkhead. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels tries to keep defenses off balance with the run so they can't solely focus on Tom Brady's passing. Hill is a former 1,000-yard rusher with Cincinnati. White is a quick hitter who can bounce outside and get around the corner. Don't be surprised if they try to take advantage of the Texans' aggressiveness by running new receiver Cordarrelle Patterson on a reverse. Outside linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney have to find that fine line between discipline and aggression. EDGE: Texans

When the Patriots pass

Tom Brady is the best quarterback in NFL history. It doesn't seem to matter who he's throwing to. Chris Hogan is his top returning target at wideout. Cornerbacks Johnathon Joseph, Kevin Johnson and Aaron Colvin can't let him get behind them because Hogan is a sneaky deep threat. Brady has two new targets in Cordarrelle Patterson, their leading receiver during the preseason, and Phillip Dorsett. Both are former first-round picks. Brady's favorite target is tight end Rob Gronkowski. He's almost impossible to match up one-on-one because of his size, speed and catching ability. Brady is the best in the league at using his running backs as receivers. He'll find James White and Rex Burkhead as safety valves or down the field. Zach Cunningham, the Texans' best linebacker in coverage, should be running all over the field. It'll be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel employs safety Tyrann Mathieu. EDGE: Patriots

In last season's 36-33 loss at New England, the Texans ran for 125 yards. They'd settle for that again. The running game wasn't very good in preseason, but now they know who the starters and backups are, and it should be more effective. Lamar Miller and Deshaun Watson, who combined for 22 carries and 97 yards against the Patriots, are back behind a line that has four new starters. With D'Onta Foreman unavailable, Alfred Blue should get a few carries when Miller needs a breather. The Patriots have a strong front seven, but they can't jam the box because of Watson's mobility. They know he can hurt them running outside as well as up the middle when he's unable to locate a receiver and finds a seam. Unless the Texans fall hopelessly behind, Miller could get 15 to 20 carries because Bill O'Brien wants to establish the run to set up play-action for Watson. He ran eight times against New England as a rookie last season, so the Patriots are aware of what he's capable of doing by design or when the protection breaks down. EDGE: Patriots

When the Texans pass

Deshaun Watson threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns at Gillette Stadium last season. It was his second start. His top three receivers – DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Bruce Ellington – are back. The matchup between Hopkins and cornerback Stephon Gilmore should be interesting to watch. Gilmore should need help. So should cornerback Eric Rowe because he'll have to contend with Fuller's speed. Expect Rowe to provide a big cushion at the line of scrimmage. He'll need help over the top. With Hopkins and Fuller requiring so much attention, the middle of the field should be open for tight end Ryan Griffin, who had a splendid game against the Patriots last season with five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Jordan Akins showed good receiving skills in preseason and could be a formidable weapon if Bill O'Brien wants to use him. Also, keep an eye on running back Lamar Miller in the passing game, especially in the red zone. EDGE: Texans

John McClain, a Waco native who graduated from Baylor in 1975, is in his 43rd year at the Houston Chronicle and his 40th covering the National Football League, including the Oilers and Texans. He worked for the Waco Tribune Herald from 1973-76, when he accepted a job with the Chronicle. to cover the original Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association.

McClain has a plaque in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio as the 2006 winner of the Dick McCann Memorial Award presented annually by the Pro Football Writers of America to a writer for his long and distinguished coverage of the NFL. He is past president of the Pro Football Writers of America.

He's a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Seniors Committee and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

In 2015, he was named as a Gridiron Legend in Texas, becoming the third member of the media behind Dave Campbell and Mickey Herskowitz.

McClain can be heard six times a week on the Texans' flagship station Sports Radio 610 in Houston. He also does weekly sports talk shows in Nashville, Knoxville, Waco, Austin and San Antonio.

McClain also has appeared in eight movies: The Rookie, The Longest Yard, Spring Breakers, Secretariat, Invincible, Cook County, The Game Plan and Make It Rain.